‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’ actor Bob Hoskins dies at 71

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By CNN Staff

(CNN) — Oscar-nominated British actor Bob Hoskins, known in part for roles in “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” and “Mermaids,” died Tuesday at age 71, his publicist Clair Dobbs said Wednesday.

His passing comes nearly two years after he retired from acting following his diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.

He was perhaps best known for 1988’s live-action and animation hybrid “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.” In the comedy, he played toon-hating detective Eddie Valiant, who takes takes up the task of proving the innocence of the cartoon title character, accused of murder .

Hoskins first gained fame in the 1978 British TV miniseries “Pennies from Heaven,” according to IMDb.com. His other notable films include 1986’s “Mona Lisa,” which brought him an Academy Award best actor nomination, as well as “The Long Good Friday,” “Hook” and “Mrs. Henderson Presents.”

He appeared in at least one production every year from 1972 until his retirement in 2012.

In one of his last roles, he played the elf Muir in 2012’s “Snow White and the Huntsman.” In the 2011 TV miniseries and Peter Pan prequel “Neverland,” he played Smee — a character he also portrayed in 1991’s “Hook.”